- Spam
- Cookies
- Pop-Ups
- Spyware/Adware
- Additional Scams
- How to Build It: Preventing Network Vulnerabilities
- Turn on Spam Blocking at Your Service Provider
- Set Up Spam Blocking on Your Home Computers
- Avoid Phishing Scams
- Set Up Spyware and Adware Blocking on Your Home Computers
- Set Up Pop-Up Blocking on Home Computers
- Where to Go for More Info
Set Up Spyware and Adware Blocking on Your Home Computers
So far, we have mitigated very serious security risks. We have set up firewalls, antivirus protection, and spam blockers. Now onward to some less serious threats, but nonetheless irritating. Fortunately, the security product bundles we have been talking much about do incorporate protection for spyware and adware also.
It is assumed that you already installed the security product bundle you have selected. Table 16-2 shows the process for enabling spyware and adware blocking on both the Symantec and McAfee products.
Table 16-2 Enabling Spyware and Adware Blocking
Step | Symantec Norton Internet Security 2005 | McAfee Internet Security Suite |
Symantec: Click McAfee: Click Checkmark Click OK. |
To see if your computer contains spyware or adware, we highly recommend the Spybot Search & Destroy program, which is available here:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
After installation, you can run a scan of your computer by double-clicking on the Spybot S&D icon, and then clicking Check for Problems (see Figure 16-6).
Figure 16-6 Using Spybot Search and Destroy
When the scan completes, click Fix Selected Problems to erase the spyware or adware.